Jerry Seinfeld, star of Castle Rock Entertainment's hit series "Seinfeld" on NBC, possesses one of the most astute and original minds in comedy today. Garnering impressive ratings as NBC's anchor show on Thursdays at 9:00 p.m., Seinfeld's unique comic sensibility has become a national obsession.

Jerry's transition to a comic television actor has been a great success, earning him the 1992 and 1993 American Comedy Awards for Best Actor in a Comedy Series. However, his demanding production schedule has not prevented him from remaining one of the busiest and most popular stand-up comedians in the country.

In 1992, Jerry was chosen to be the national spokesperson for American Express. His sharp wit and intelligent observations have given the American Express campaign a dynamic new edge.

Born in Brooklyn, Seinfeld became fascinated by comedians at the age of eight while watching them on television. "I remember my parents telling me, 'This man's job is to come out and be funny for people.' I could not beleive it. 'That's his whole job?' I asked. 'Are you kidding me?' And they said, 'No, he's kidding us.'"

Even with the success of "Seinfeld" Jerry will always be most passionate about perfoming in front of a live audience. "I knew I was going to be a comedian at a very young age," he recalls. "I remember one time I made a friend laugh so hard that he sprayed a mouthful of cookies and milk all over me. And I liked it. That was the beginning."

Through his honor roll years at Queens College and brief working stints as a telephone lightbuld salesman and a jewelry street vendor, Jerry never lost sight of his dream. "My whole life, I was just trying to laugh--I'm obsessed with that moment," he says. "When you're laughing, you've left your body, you've left the planet...it's an incredible experience."

As he honed his craft with a steady slate of stand-up throughout the '80's, Seinfeld's reputation for keen observation humor spread. "Everyone's looking for good sex, good food, and a good laugh," Jerry asserts. "They're little islands of relief in what's often a painful existence. His first TV special, "Jerry Seinfeld's Stand-up Confidential," was seen on HBO in 1987-88. In the spring of 1991, Jerry served as host for NBC's "Spy TV: How To Be Famous" and Showtime's "Aspen Comedy Festival."

Seinfeld's broad appeal has earned him regular appearances on a host of talk shows, most notably "The Tonight Show" and "Late Night with David Letterman." In all, Jerry has made a combined total of over 50 appearances on the two shows. To figure out why, one need only ask "Seinfeld" fan David Letterman. "He is easily one of the best stand-up comedians working today."

"Seinfeld" success is truly the culmination of a deep-held personal philosophy. I have this romantic vision of being a stand-up comic--being on your own in a strange town, being in the spotlight, the smoke. You're not even in show business. You're the guy on a surfboard miles out in the ocean trying to create something on your own."

With looks that can be sympathetic and charming--as well as devious and unscrupulous--Tony Award winner Jason Alexander is currently known as Jerry Seinfeld's witty angst ridden sidekick, George Costanza on NBC's hit series "Seinfeld" For his flawless portrayal of George, Alexander has earned two Emmy nominations, a Golden Globe nomination and has won an American Television Award and two American Comedy Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a television series. New York Daily News says "Casting Alexander in this role was a stroke of pure genius." In addition to "Seinfeld", Alexander recently filmed the comedy "North" directed by Rob Reiner, which co-stars fellow "Seinfeld" castmate Julia-Louis Dreyfuss, Bruce Willis and Elijah Wood. He was recently seen in the feature film "Coneheads" with Dan Akroyd and Jane Curtain, and can be seen in a cameo role in Ron Howard's film "The Paper" which stars Michael Keaton and Glenn Close.

An actor whose talents span all media, Alexander began by entertaining his classmates at a young age to keep them from teasing him about his chubbiness. He memorized comedy albums, movie dialogue and did impressions so well that he never gave his peers a chance to laugh at him, only with him. Alexander took singing and dancing lessons outside of school--he considered his Bar Mitzvah his "first paid gig." At 17, he earned his first professional job when he was spotted in a children's theater group and was asked to perform on a local New York children's program.

Two years later, he landed his first film while studying acting at Boston University in a horror film entitled "The Burning," which also features Holly Hunter and Fisher Stevens. Subsequent films would include "Brighton Beach Memiors," "Mosquito Coast," Jacob's Ladder," "White Palace," and playing Richard Gere's friend and villainous lawyer in "Pretty Woman." Last year, Alexander starred in "I Don't Buy Kisses Anymore," a romantic comedy in which he is not only the leading man, but even gets the girl. He was also in Rob Reiner's "North."

A theater lover, his Broadway debut came with "Merrily We Roll Along," a Hal Prince/Stephen Sondheim collaboration. He also starred in the Broadway production of Rupert Holmes' "Accomplice," Neil Simon's "Broadway Bound" and "The Rink" with Liza Minnelli and Chita Rivera. His theatrical capstone, however, was Jerome Robbins' "Broadway," for which he won the 1989 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. Further displaying his Broadway talents, Alexander also authored the narration for the show, which itself went on to become the Tony Award winner for Best Musical. Most recently, Alexander took to the stage in Los Angeles, portraying Harry Truman in the one man play Give 'Em Hell Harry, which brought unanimous raves from Los Angeles theater critics and audiences alike.

On television, Alexander starred in his own CBS series "Everything's Relative," was a series regular on "E.R." with Elliott Gould and co-starred in the acclaimed mini-series "Favorite Son." He has appeared in numerous commercials, his best known being the "Keep In Touch" ad for Western Union, and his Rold Gold Pretzel Campaign. Last year, a dream of Alexander's came true when he hosted "Saturday Night Live."

Born and raised in New Jersey and a long-time resident of New York, "Seinfeld" has forced Alexander and his wife to move to Los Angeles. Although he likes L.A., Alexander misses the New York theater community terribly. His wife began a neighborhood recycling program in New York, and together they have brought their environmental zeal to Los Angeles. They recently welcomed their first child, a son, into the world.

Always looking to challenge himself, Alexander hopes to direct theater, something he has not done since college. Last season he directed his first television show--an episode of "Seinfeld," which brought him yet another nomination for a DGA Award. With his new projects, combined with his diverse talents of actor, singer, dancer and director, we have only begun to see a fraction of what Jason Alexander has to offer.

1996 Emmy-winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus stars opposite Jerry Seinfeld in the critically acclaimed Castle Rock Entertainment/NBC series "Seinfeld", a sitcom about the life of a stand-up comedian.

Adept at both comedy and drama, Julia has starred in Woody Allen's "Hannah and Her Sisters," "Soul Man," National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation," with Chevy Chase and "Jack the Bear," with Danny DeVito. Julia has also starred alongside Jon Lovitz, Elijah Wood and Jason Alexander in Rob Reiner's "North" for Castle Rock/Columbia and is also the newest "Nice and Easy Girl" for Clairol.

Born in New York City, Julia was raised in Washington D.C.. She became interested in acting at a very early age and went on to study theater at Northwestern University. During college, she worked extensively as a member of the Practial Theater Company, an improvisational group with a large following in the Chicago area.

Julia's innate talent and quick timing led her to the world-renowned Second City, the troupe which launched the careers of such comedy innovators as John Belushi, Gilda Radner and Bill Murray. While with Second City, she continued her work with the Practical Theater. It was during one of their special revue performances, "The Practical Theater's Golden 50th Anniversary Jubilee," that she was asked to join the ensemble cast of "Saturday Night Live." During this period, when the show was in turmoil and cast members came and went with great frequency, Julia's versatility made her a three-year veteran.

Julia is married to writer/actor Brad Hall. The two have known each other since their college days at Northwestern and were co-stars on "Saturday Night Live." They've been married for four years and currenly reside in Los Angeles with their son Henry.

Michael Richards' depiction of "Kramer" in the Castle Rock Entertainment/NBC comedy series "Seinfeld" has earned him cult status rarely bestowed upon an actor. Richards explains, "Kramer is a good natured guy who is friends with everybody. He lives across the hall from Jerry and takes to him like a roadie does to a musician--he's totally devoted."

In performing his role as "Kramer" he brings a physical agility that is rarely seen. Influenced by legendary comedians such as Charlie Chaplin and Jaques Tati, his specialty is using physical comedy. He also believes that "it is important for me to create a sense of depth by maintaining a certain tension in the character, while simultaneously producing laughter."

Richards grew up in the suburbs of Los Angeles and obtained a degree in theater from the California Institute of the Arts. Upon graduating, he performed in several productions at the San Diego Repertory Company. He also starred in the production of "American Clock" and "Wild Oats" at the Mark Taper Forum.

With a life-long interest in comedy, Richards decided in 1979 to pursue stand-up comedy. He performed nightly for nine straight months at such places as The Comedy Store and The Improvisation until Billy Crystal gave him his first "real paying job" on the "Billy Crystal Special." From there he spent the next two-and-a-half years starring in the ABC comedy, "Fridays" where he became best know for creating "Battle Boy"--an impassioned male who took pleasure in blowing up miniature battle figures.

Richards has been seen in a cameo role in TriStar's "So I Married an Axe Murderer" starring Mike Myers. He also made an appearance in "Coneheads" with Dan Akroyd and fellow castmember Jason Alexander as well as the 20th Century Fox film "Airheads" starring Brendan Fraser. His other film credits include "Problem Child," UHF," "Whoops," "Apocalypse," "Transylvania 6-5000" and "Yound Doctors in Love."

Other television credits include a series regular in "Marblehead Manor," recurring roles in "St Elsewhere," "Miami Vice," "Hill Street Blues," "Cheers," "Night Court," "It's A Living," "Sidekicks," "What A Country," "The Scarecrow and Mrs. King," as well as appearances in the mini series "Fresno," "The Jonathan Winters Special," two movies-of-the-week and four pilots.